The world of art has always been unexpected and limitless. For example, what appears to be ordinary white paper, besides being able to write or draw, under the creativity and craftsmanship of Japanese artist Ayumi Shibata, has become a series of three-dimensional paper sculpture art, with many works being incredibly detailed beyond imagination!
In Japanese, “KAMI (かみ)” not only means “paper,” but also represents “god.” In traditional Japanese Shinto beliefs, “white paper” is considered a sacred material that exists in natural elements such as the sky, land, and trees. Therefore, Shibata Ayumi’s paper sculpture artworks use only white paper as material, aiming to embody the relationship between humans and nature through her creations. She sees white paper as akin to sunlight, and believes that the shadows created by cutting the paper under light represent the concept of yin and yang, positive and negative aspects inherent in white paper itself.
The lines of these three-dimensional paper sculptures are very complex, but Ayumi Shibata does not have the habit of drawing sketches first. Instead, she cuts and cuts the paper directly through her imagination of the appearance of the work. The reason is that once the draft is drawn wrong, erasing the pen marks with an eraser will damage the paper.
Ayumi Shibata’s paper sculptures often require dozens to hundreds of sheets of white paper to create. With her skilled hands and attention to detail, she crafts intricate lines and rich layers, bringing to life trees, clouds, buildings, and more, making cities and forests “leap off the paper.” Some pieces are delicate enough to fit in the palm of your hand, while others are large paper art installations that you can immerse yourself in, presenting a microcosm through artistic creativity.
In addition, some works are made to look like bound books, while others are placed in glass bottles, resembling a small charming kingdom, exuding beauty and poetry in the soft and dim yellow light.
What kind of diverse world do you see in these paper sculptures?
Image source: Ayumi Shibata Art @facebook, ayumishibatart @instagram
